Unique Sydney – Five great reasons to visit Darling Harbor

For many tourists, a visit to Sydney revolves around the harbor and the Opera House. And while these are must-see spots, a trip to nearby Darling Harbor unlocks a host of attractions and provides a whole new perspective on Sydney Harbour. Although you can reach Darling Harbor from central Sydney easily with an even 30-minute monorail walk, to capture the unique experience, it’s best to arrive by ferry.

First is the purchase. Darling Harbor boasts a wide range of outlets, but the king of them all is the Harborside Shopping Centre, a complex offering 150 outlets on two levels. Here you can browse a wide variety of fashion, shoes, housewares, and other delights all under one roof. The center is very strong in local Australian yarns with offerings from Purely Australian, Colorado and Weiss Art to Ozi Varmints and Rif Raf.

It’s a great place for souvenir shopping with all kinds of boomerangs and other Oz memorabilia, including Sydney Harbor prints and traditional local crafts.

You can also stock up on the usual Christmassy goodies like hats, sunglasses, and bathing suits.

After shopping, it’s time for dinner, and luckily, Darling Harbor has some attractive waterfront restaurants, as well as the International Food Court, which comprises 40 restaurants. In all, there are over 100 restaurants, cafes and takeaways serving everything from pasta to authentic contemporary Thai and Australian cuisine.

One of the highlights of the Darling Harbor food scene is Jordan’s Seafood Restaurant. It has a prime seaside location with stunning views of the Sydney skyline. Relax in its elegant cocktail bar while you wait for the chefs to work on your fresh seafood.

Or head to Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney’s latest hotspot restaurant. It’s a refreshing mix of cheap al fresco eateries and fine dining.

Next, leave the bustling concrete streets for the green and peaceful sanctuary of the Chinese Garden of Friendship. It’s like walking into a porcelain willow patterned plate with weeping willows, pavilions, waterfalls and lakes, winding paths and bridges. Stop for a cup of tea at one of the many tea houses or just sip in the serenity.

The gardens were a gift from Sydney’s sister city Guangdong for Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations in 1988.

With harmony restored, you can begin exploring some of Darling Harbor’s entertainment options. You can simply wander around enjoying the many street performances or you can catch a movie on Australia’s largest cinema screen at the Imax Theatre. You can enjoy wildlife at the Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World, while the massive Sydney Entertainment Center sits on the south-eastern edge of Darling Harbour.

Lastly, Darling Harbor has become one of Sydney’s premier hotel locations. The Convention and Exhibition Center attracts business travelers, but many tourists are drawn to its facilities and its proximity to the beating heart of central Sydney.

You will find a wide range of quality hotels and serviced apartments offering spectacular views of the harbor and the city skyline. All the big names are there, like the Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour, Holiday Inn Darling Harbor and the Novotel Sydney in Darling Harbour.

So take a trip to Darling Harbor and you won’t want to leave. Just check into one of the Darling Harbor hotels and make it your Sydney base.